Personalidad: un determinante de la satisfacción conyugal en matrimonios con un cónyuge diagnosticado de depresión mayor / Personality: a determinant in marital dissatisfaction in individuals with major depression and their couples

Introducción: La literatura sugiere que existen factores que explican la asociación entre insatisfacción conyugal y Depresión Mayor. Analizamos si la personalidad actúa como factor determinante en la asociación entre insatisfacción conyugal y la aparición de un Primer Episodio de Depresión Mayor (PEDM). Además, estudiamos si hay factores de personalidad específicos que se relacionen con la insatisfacción conyugal en función de la evolución del PEDM. Metodología: Administramos la Escala de Hamilton para la Depresión y la Escala de Ajuste Diádico en el momento del diagnóstico del trastorno depresivo (T1) y seis meses más tarde (T2), en seis centros ambulatorios. Participaron 59matrimonios con un cónyuge diagnosticado de PEDM y otro cónyuge sano. Además, los pacientes deprimidos completaron el Inventario de Personalidad NEO-PIR. Resultados: Hay factores de personalidad que median entre el PEDM y la insatisfacción conyugal. El “neuroticismo” media tanto en T1 como en T2. Sin embargo, la relación entre los factores de personalidad y la insatisfacción conyugal depende de la evolución del episodio. Si éste ha remitido enT2, la personalidad puede no asociarse con la interacción conyugal, pero si persiste, la “apertura” y la “responsabilidad” se asocian con menor insatisfacción conyugal. Conclusiones: El “neuroticismo” es el factor de personalidad más importante como mediador entre insatisfacción conyugal y la evolución de un PEDM (AU)

Introduction: Prior research suggests that some factors account for the association between marital dissatisfaction and Major Depression. We examined whether personality determines the association between marital dissatisfaction and a First Episode of Major Depression (FEMD), and whether specific personality factors are linked to marital dissatisfaction depending on the outcome of the FEMD. Methods: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale were administered both at baseline (T1) and six months later (T2), at 6 outpatient settings. We counted on the participation of 59 married couples with one member fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for a FEMD, and a healthy partner. Depressed participants also completed the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised. Results: Certain personality factors mediate the association of a FEMD and Marital Dissatisfaction. “Neuroticism” mediates the association both at T1 and T2. However, the relationship between personality factors and Marital Dissatisfaction depends on the outcome of the Episode. If it has remitted by T2, personality might not be associated with marital interaction. However, if depression persists, “openness” and “conscientiousness” are related to less marital dissatisfaction. Conclusion: The most important mediating personality factor between marital dissatisfaction and a First Episode of Major Depression is “neuroticism” (AU)

Personality: a determinant in marital dissatisfaction in individuals with major depression and their couples.

INTRODUCTION: Prior research suggests that some factors account for the association between marital dissatisfaction and Major Depression. We examined whether personality determines the association between marital dissatisfaction and a First Episode of Major Depression (FEMD), and whether specific personality factors are linked to marital dissatisfaction depending on the outcome of the FEMD. METHODS: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale were administered both at baseline (T1) and six months later (T2), at 6 outpatient settings. We counted on the participation of 59 married couples with one member fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for a FEMD, and a healthy partner. Depressed participants also completed the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised. RESULTS: Certain personality factors mediate the association of a FEMD and Marital Dissatisfaction. "Neuroticism" mediates the association both at T1 and T2. However, the relationship between personality factors and Marital Dissatisfaction depends on the outcome of the Episode. If it has remitted by T2, personality might not be associated with marital interaction. However, if depression persists, "openness" and "conscientiousness" are related to less marital dissatisfaction. CONCLUSION: The most important mediating personality factor between marital dissatisfaction and a First Episode of Major Depression is "neuroticism".